Vietnam’s biggest obstacle in controlling automobile emissions is not the vehicle standards - it's the fuel, according to energy and transport experts.
From 2029, all vehicles in Hanoi and HCMC must meet at least Euro 2 emission standards. Photo: Dinh Hieu
A recent government meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha discussed the draft roadmap for applying new national emission standards for motor vehicles on public roads.
Under the proposed schedule, vehicles would be regulated based on their year of manufacture:
Pre-1999 vehicles: Euro 1 standard 1999–2016: Euro 2 2017–2021: Euro 3 (starting Jan 1, 2026), and Euro 4 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from Jan 1, 2027 2022 onwards: Euro 4 from Jan 1, 2026, and Euro 5 from Jan 1, 2032; in Hanoi and HCMC, Euro 5 will apply earlier, from Jan 1, 2028 By January 1, 2029, all cars operating in Hanoi and HCMC must meet at least Euro 2 standards.
Notably, vehicle types approved under safety and environmental certifications before January 1, 2022 will be treated as Euro 3 compliant - the same as vehicles produced from 2017–2021.
Call for coordination and consistency
Speaking with VietNamNet, Bui Ngoc Bao, Chairman of the Vietnam Petroleum Association, noted that the new draft appears more relaxed than earlier regulations.
“Decision 49/2011/QD-TTg clearly states that from 2017, all newly manufactured, assembled, and imported vehicles must meet Euro 4; and from 2022, Euro 5. So bringing 2017–2021 models back to Euro 3 is a step backward,” Bao stated.
But he emphasized that the true bottleneck isn’t with the vehicles - it's with the fuel.
While the Ministry of Transport has rigorously enforced vehicle emission standards, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has failed to align fuel standards. Most gasoline on the market still only meets Euro 3, despite newer vehicles requiring Euro 4 or 5 fuel.
Bui Ngoc Bao, Chairman of the Vietnam Petroleum Association.
“This disconnect means Euro 5 cars can't run clean on Euro 3 gasoline. It’s like the chicken and the egg - if the fuel doesn’t match the car, emissions can’t be reduced,” Bao explained.
He added that this misalignment doesn’t just harm the environment - it also misleads consumers.
Auto manufacturers may sell Euro 5-compliant vehicles, but without clear guidance, drivers often fill them with lower-grade fuel, leading to faster wear, increased emissions, and warranty voids due to incorrect usage.
Conversely, fuel retailers also lack motivation to import higher-quality fuel, since it costs more and consumer demand is minimal.
“Only when customers demand Euro 5 fuel will fuel distributors be forced to supply it,” Bao said.
Two cities can lead the way
Bao supports the proposal for Hanoi and HCMC to adopt stricter standards ahead of the rest of the country.
“These cities already have the infrastructure and a newer vehicle fleet, so Euro 4 is feasible. If implemented properly, upgrading fuel alone could cut fine dust pollution by 20%,” he added.
In the face of worsening air pollution, especially in urban areas, he stressed that higher fuel and emission standards are urgently needed.
But to succeed, Bao insisted, there must be synchronized efforts between the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and municipal governments. Only then can emission control policies deliver real impact.
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